If you’ve ever caught your cat snoozing in a sunbeam or found your dog snoring louder than your dad on the sofa, you’ve probably wondered “how much sleep do pets need?” Well, with Love Your Pet Day upon us, what better time to dive into the weird and wonderful world of pet sleep?
Scroll on for a series of fascinating – and frankly a little bizarre – facts about pet sleep.
1. cats: the kings and queens of napping
Ever feel like your cat is asleep more than they’re awake? You’re not wrong! Cats can sleep anywhere from 12 to 16 hours a day (1) — and kittens or older cats can snooze even longer. Cats are, after all, natural hunters. So, in the wild, they’d conserve energy between big bursts of activity (like pouncing on unsuspecting feet). If your moggy seems particularly lazy, don’t worry — it’s just their nature!
Fun fact: Cats experience REM sleep, just like humans, which means they dream (2)! Ever seen your cat twitching in their sleep? They’re probably off chasing imaginary mice.
2. dogs: sleep patterns depend on breed
Unlike cats, dogs tend to follow their humans’ sleep cycles. But, they still need plenty of daytime naps too. Most adult dogs sleep around 12 to 14 hours a day, while larger breeds like Newfoundlands and Saint Bernards can easily clock up 18 hours — big dogs need big rest (3)!
Puppies, on the other hand, can be out for the count for 18 to 20 hours a day (4). All that running, chewing, and getting into mischief is tiring work.
Fun fact: Some dogs (we’re looking at you, Greyhounds!) sleep with their eyes half open (5). A little unsettling, but completely normal!
3. rabbits: light sleepers on high alert
If you’ve got a bunny, you might notice they sleep with their eyes open — that’s because they’re prey animals, always ready to hop into action if needed. Rabbits get around 8 to 9 hours of sleep, but they do it in short bursts rather than one long snooze (6).
Fun fact: If your rabbit flops onto its side and looks totally relaxed, congratulations —they feel super safe with you (7)!
4. guinea pigs: masters of the power nap
Unlike other small pets, guinea pigs don’t sleep much—only four to six hours a day, and usually in short bursts (8). They prefer to stay alert, so if you think you’ve never seen your guinea pig sleep, they’re probably just very sneaky about it!
Fun fact: Guinea pigs can sleep standing up (9). Talk about efficiency!
5. parrots: they need their beauty sleep too
Bird owners know that parrots and budgies need their shut-eye. A good 10 to 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep is essential for their health and mood (10). Ever noticed your parrot getting grumpy or plucking their feathers? Lack of sleep could be the culprit!
Fun fact: Some parrots love a bedtime routine — like having a special blanket over their cage to signal it’s time to snooze (11).
6. hamsters: night owls of the pet world
If your hamster seems to be plotting world domination at 2 AM, don’t be surprised! Hamsters are nocturnal, meaning they sleep all day and party all night. They usually sleep for about 12-14 hours each day, but they do it in stages (12).
Fun fact: Never wake a sleeping hamster—it can make them grumpy (and possibly bitey!) (13). Let them snooze in peace.
final thoughts: let sleeping pets lie
Whether your pet is a marathon napper or a power nap pro, their sleep – much like your own – is essential for their health and happiness. So, this Love Your Pet Day, let them enjoy an extra snooze — or better yet, join them for a well-earned nap!
Until next time, eve sleep.
